Module Summary – Insects and Plants (2nd Ed.)

The Insects and Plants Module provides experiences that heighten students� awareness of the living world. They come to know firsthand the life sequences of a number of insects. Four investigations introduce an insect and students observe structures and behaviors, discuss their findings, and record observations over time. Students see the life cycle of insects unfold and compare the stages of metamorphosis exhibited by each species. At the same time, students grow a plant from seeds and observe brassica go through its life cycle to produce new seeds. Students relate these firsthand experiences to information they gather from reading about life cycles of other plants and animals.

FOSS EXPECTS STUDENTS TO

Develop a curiosity and interest in insects and flowering plants and an appreciation for them as living things.

Provide for the needs of insects and plants and observe them over time.

Observe the similarities and differences of the life sequences that different types of insects exhibit (simple and complete metamorphosis).

Compare the life cycles of different kinds of animals and learn that organisms reproduce offspring of their own kind.

Learn that some characteristics of organisms are inherited from parents and others are caused by the environment.

Observe variations within a group of insects.

Organize and communicate observations through drawing and writing and use bar graphs to record data.

Follow oral instructions for life science investigations.

Write or draw a sequence of steps for an event.

Use magnifiers to observe and draw organisms.

Acquire the vocabulary associated with the structures and life cycles of animals and flowering plants.

For a description of each investigation in the Insects and Plants Module and the correlations to the National Science Education Standards, download the Module Overview PDF.

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